Egypt's ex-intelligence chief testifies in Mubarak's trial

Author: Nehal El-Sherif

   Cairo (dpa) - Former Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman arrived at a Cairo court Tuesday to testify in the trial of ousted president Hosny Mubarak, the state-run daily Al-Ahram reported on its website.

   The session is being held behind closed doors.

   The judge even ordered security and police outside the court hall, Al Arabiya reported.

   Suleiman was the country's intelligence chief, until he was appointed deputy to Mubarak, as part of a cabinet reshuffle introduced by Mubarak in reaction to demonstrations last January calling for his ouster.

   Suleiman's last public appearance was his televised address announcing Mubarak's resignation on February 11.

   Mubarak, 83, is being tried on charges of ordering the killing of around 850 people during a popular revolt earlier this year. Ex-interior minister Habib and al-Adli and six former ministry officials face the same charges.

   Sixty-nine per cent of Egyptians believe the trial is progressing too slowly, a government poll showed on Tuesday.

   Only 15 per cent of participants said the trial is proceeding at a reasonable rate, according to the poll released by the cabinet's think tank, the Information and Decision Support Centre.

   Judge Ahmed Refaat, who presides over the case, promised a swift trial. Sessions have been held on regular weekly basis, faster than usual trials in Egypt.

   Of all those polled, 67 per cent said they approve of Mubarak's trial, while 13 per cent said they are opposed to the trial.

   Some said that Mubarak should be tried as a lesson to future leaders, while others only expressed their desire to find out whether Mubarak is guilty or not.

   Key testimony in the trial by the head of Egypt's ruling military council, Hussein Tantawi, will be held on September 24.

   Tantawi had originally been scheduled to testify Sunday. Sources said Tantawi failed to appear because he was busy with the security situation in the country.

   The court has barred the media from all these sessions in order to "preserve national security."

   Mubarak is also facing charges of corruption and abuse of power, along with his two sons, Alaa and Gamal. All defendants have pleaded not guilty.

   The trial began on August 3 after pressure from demonstrators demanding speedy and public prosecution of Mubarak.